Debunking the myths surrounding spaying and neutering your cat
- Alex Vasey
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
On 27 February this year pet charities and dedicated owners came together to celebrate World Spay Day. In support of this important initiative, we want to underscore the significance of having your cat spayed or neutered and address some common myths that may deter you from taking this crucial step.
Spaying or neutering your cat offers numerous benefits for both you and your feline friend:
Calmer companionship: Neutering can lead to a calmer disposition in cats as hormonal changes often reduce their inclination to fight with other cats or wander off.
Health benefits: Neutering can lower the risk of your cat contracting and spreading serious infections, such as Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Reduced territory issues: Unneutered males tend to roam vast areas, marking their territory by spraying urine — sometimes even within your home! Once neutered, they are more likely to stay close to home and mark less frequently.
Diminished mating urges: Unneutered males can travel considerable distances in search of females to mate with.
Managing unwanted litters: Unneutered male cats can mate with stray females, leading to unwanted litters that can be difficult to manage and find homes for.
The Statistics
According to the Cats and Their Stats UK report, a concerning 13% of cats, equating to 1.4 million, remain unneutered. Moreover, 3% of cat owners are uncertain about whether their cat has been neutered.
When asked about their reasons for not neutering, several key factors emerged:
Indoor-only: 20% of respondents believed their indoor cats didn't need to be neutered.
Desire to breed: 15% of owners expressed their intention to allow their cats to breed.
Financial constraints: 13% cited cost as a reason for not neutering their pets.
Procrastination: 11% mentioned that they had thought about it but simply hadn't got around to it yet.
These statistics highlight the need for awareness and education regarding the benefits of spaying and neutering, dispelling myths and addressing concerns.
Myth 1: My cat needs to have one litter before they can be spayed.
It’s a common misconception that a cat should have a litter prior to spaying. However, this is not beneficial. Pregnancy and heat cycles increase the risk of mammary issues (including cancer) and uterine infections, which can be fatal. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections, which affect one in four un-spayed cats.
Myth 2: I need to wait until they’re six months old before they can be neutered or spayed.
In reality, kittens can be neutered as early as four months old. Cats Protection recommends neutering at this age or even younger, as current scientific data suggests that there are no disadvantages to neutering at an earlier age.
Myth 3: The operation will hurt.
Rest assured; your cat will receive a general anaesthetic during the procedure. The vet will administer a pain relief injection post- surgery and can provide further painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines to be given at home. The operation itself is very quick and usually you can drop off your cat and pick them up on the same day!
Myth 4: They’re an indoor-only cat, so they don’t need to be neutered.
Even indoor only cats CAN and DO escape from time to time.
Myth 5: Neutering is too expensive.
Some veterinary clinics offer donation-based neutering to assist low-income households with the associated costs. Additionally, charities like Cats Protection provide financial support for owners on benefits or with low incomes.
For more information, visit the Cats Protection Help and Advice page: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/neutering-and-vaccinations/neutering-your-cat
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